Linksys WUSB11 User Manual

Instant WirelessTMSeries

Wireless USB

Network Adapter

Use this guide to install: WUSB11 ver. 2.6

User Guide

COPYRIGHT & TRADEMARKS
Copyright © 2002 Linksys, All Rights Reserved. Microsoft, Windows, and the Windows logo are
registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. All other trademarks and brand names are the
property of their respective proprietors.

LIMITED WARRANTY
Linksys guarantees that every Instant Wireless™ USB Network Adapter will be free from phys­ical defects in material and workmanship under normal use for one year from the date of pur­chase, when used within the limits set forth in the Specifications chapter of this User Guide. If
these products prove defective during this warranty period, call Linksys Technical Support in
order to obtain a Return Authorization Number. BE SURE TO HAVE YOUR PROOF OF PUR­CHASE AND A BARCODE FROM THE PRODUCT'S PACKAGING ON HAND WHEN CALLING.
RETURN REQUESTS CANNOT BE PROCESSED WITHOUT PROOF OF PURCHASE. When
returning a product, mark the Return Authorization Number clearly on the outside of the pack­age and include a copy of your original proof of purchase. All customers located outside of the
United States of America and Canada shall be held responsible for shipping and handling
charges.

IN NO EVENT SHALL LINKSYS’S LIABILITY EXCEED THE PRICE PAID FOR THE PRODUCT
FROM DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES
RESULTING FROM THE USE OF THE PRODUCT, ITS ACCOMPANYING SOFTWARE, OR ITS
DOCUMENTATION. LINKSYS DOES NOT OFFER REFUNDS FOR ANY PRODUCT. Linksys
makes no warranty or representation, expressed, implied, or statutory, with respect to its prod­ucts or the contents or use of this documentation and all accompanying software, and specif­ically disclaims its quality, performance, merchantability, or fitness for any particular purpose.
Linksys reserves the right to revise or update its products, software, or documentation without
obligation to notify any individual or entity. Please direct all inquiries to:

Linksys P.O. Box 18558, Irvine, CA 92623.

FCC STATEMENT
This Instant Wireless™ USB Network Adapter has been tested and complies with the specifica­tions for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed
to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This
equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and
used according to the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this
equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which is found by
turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one
or more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna

• Increase the separation between the equipment or devices

• Connect the equipment to an outlet other than the receiver’s

• Consult a dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for assistance

FCC Caution: Any changes or modifications nor expressly approved by the party responsible
for compliance could void the user's authority to operate this equipment.

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two
conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) This device must
accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

FCC RF Radiation Exposure Statement
This device and its antenna(s) must operate with a separation distance of at least 20 cm from
all persons and must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or
transmitter. End-users must be provided with specific operations for satisfying RF exposure
compliance.

UG-WUSB11 ver. 2.6-032002 BW

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction 1

The Instant WirelessTMUSB Network Adapter 1
Features 1
Package Contents 2
System Requirements 2

Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network 3

Network Topology 3
Roaming 3

Chapter 3: Getting To Know the Wireless USB
Network Adapter 4

The Wireless USB Network Adapter’s Port and LEDs 4

Chapter 4: Installation and Configuration of the
USB Adapter for Windows 98SE, Me, and 2000 6

Software and Driver Installation for Windows 98SE, Me, and 2000 7

Chapter 5: Connecting Your Wireless USB
Network Adapter 12

The USB Icon 12
USB Cabling 12
Removing the USB Adapter 13
Using the Wireless USB Network Adapter’s Wall Mount 13
Hardware Detection for Windows 98SE, Me, and 2000 15

Chapter 6: Installation of the USB Adapter for
Windows XP 16

Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration 18

Chapter 7: Installing Network Protocols 21

Installing the Network Protocols for Windows 98SE and Me 21

Chapter 8: Configuring the Wireless USB
Network Adapter 23

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Appendix A: Troubleshooting 29

Common Problems and Solutions 29
Frequently Asked Questions 29

Appendix B: Glossary 33

Appendix C: Specifications 38

Appendix D: Environmental 39

Appendix E: Warranty Information 40

Appendix F: Contact Information 41

Wireless USB Network Adapter

• One Wireless USB Network Adapter

• One USB Cable

• One Wall Mount

• One Setup CD-ROM with User Guide

• One Quick Installation

• One Registration Card

• Pentium-Class 200MHz or Faster Processor

• 64MB RAM Recommended

• Available USB Port

• CD-ROM Drive

• Windows 98SE, Me, 2000, XP

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Wireless USB Network Adapter

Chapter 1: Introduction

Put the “mobile” back into mobile computing with the Linksys Instant
Wireless™ USB Network Adapter! The Linksys Instant Wireless™ USB
Network Adapter operates in the ISM band, using Direct Sequence Spread
Spectrum (DSSS) transmission to implement the 802.11b standard. Users can
now move easily between Access Points without the hassle of reconfiguring
their connection.

The Instant Wireless™ USB Network Adapter also gives you the freedom to
work your way, from where you want, letting you take full advantage of your
PC and providing you with access to all your networked resources from beyond
your desktop, and a high-powered built-in antenna with LEDs indicates power
and linkage. Compatible with Windows 98SE, 2000, Me, and XP, the Instant
Wireless™ USB Network Adapter from Linksys is a true necessity for all your
wireless PC applications.

• Up to 11 Mbps High-Speed Data Transfer Rate

• Integrated Equalizer Recovers Weak Signals and Enhances Sensitivity

• Movable External Antenna Improves Signal Quality

• USB Port Powers Your Adapter—No Power Supply Needed!

• Compatible with Windows 98SE, Me, 2000, and XP

• User-Friendly Setup Software Provides Hassle-Free Configuration

• Plug-and-Play Operation Provides Easy Setup

• Works with All Standard Internet Applications

• Interoperable with 802.11b (DSSS) 2.4GHz-Compliant Equipment

• Capable of up to 128-Bit WEP Encryption

• Free Software Driver Upgrades

• Toll-Free Technical Support—24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week for U.S. Only

• 1-Year Limited Warranty

The Instant WirelessTMUSB Network Adapter

Features

System Requirements

Package Contents

Figure 1-1

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1

Chapter 3: Getting to Know the
Wireless USB Network Adapter

The Wireless USB Network Adapter’s USB port is located on the back of the
Adapter.

The Wireless USB Network Adapter’s USB port

USB Port The USB Port is a port installed in your PC, enabling you to

connect to USB peripherals. To work with USB ports, your PC
must be running Windows 98SE, Me, 2000, or XP.

Your Wireless USB Network Adapter comes with a USB cable. Plug one end
into your PC’s USB port and the other end into your Wireless USB Network
Adapter.

The Wireless USB Network Adapter’s Port and LEDs

Figure 3-1

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3

Wireless USB Network Adapter

Chapter 2: Planning Your
Wireless Network

Network Topology

A wireless LAN is exactly like a regular LAN, except that each computer in the
LAN uses a wireless device to connect to the network. Computers in a wire­less LAN must be configured to share the same frequency channel.

The Instant Wireless™ USB Network Adapter provides access to a wired LAN
for wireless workstations. An integrated wireless and wired LAN is called an
Infrastructure configuration. A group of Instant Wireless™ USB Network
Adapter users and an Access Point compose a Basic Service Set (BSS). Each
PC equipped with an Instant Wireless™ USB Network Adapter in a BSS can
talk to any computer in a wired LAN infrastructure via the Access Point.

An infrastructure configuration extends the accessibility of an Instant
Wireless™ USB Network Adapter PC to a wired LAN, and doubles the effec­tive wireless transmission range for two Instant Wireless™ USB Network
Adapter PCs. Since the Access Point is able to forward data within its BSS, the
effective transmission range in an infrastructure LAN is doubled.

The use of a unique ID in a BSS is essential. All computers that have Instant
Wireless™ USB Network Adapter configured without roaming options in an
independent BSS must be configured with a BSS ID (that is used in the BSS).

The Wireless LAN Infrastructure configuration is appropriate for enterprise­scale wireless access to a central database, or as a wireless application for
mobile users.

Infrastructure mode also supports roaming capabilities for mobile users. More
than one BSS can be configured as an Extended Service Set (ESS). This con­tinuous network allows users to roam freely within an ESS. All Instant
Wireless™ USB Network Adapter PCs within one ESS must be configured
with the same ESS ID and use the same radio channel.

Before enabling a network with roaming capability, selecting a feasible radio
channel and optimum Access Point position is recommended. Proper Access
Point positioning combined with a clear radio signal will greatly enhance per­formance.

Roaming

4

Chapter 4: Installation and
Configuration of the USB
Adapter for Windows 98SE, Me,
and 2000

This Wireless USB Network Adapter Setup Wizard will guide you through the
Install and Uninstall Procedures for Windows 98SE, Me, and 2000.

Insert the Setup Wizard CD into your CD-ROM Drive. The Setup Wizard
should run automatically and Figure 4-1 should appear. If it does not, click the
Start button and choose Run. In the box that appears, enter D:\setup.exe
(where “D” is the letter of your CD-ROM drive).

Note to Windows 98, Me, and 2000 users: You must install this
software before installation of the hardware.

Figure 4-1

Important for Windows XP users: Do NOT run the Wireless
Network Adapter Setup Wizard. Proceed directly to Chapter 5:
Connecting Your Wireless USB Network Adapter.

6

The LED Indicators

Power Green. The Power LED lights up when the Wireless USB

Network Adapter is powered on.

Link Green. The Link LED lights up when the Adapter has an

active connection. If the LED is not on, the Adapter is not
interfacing with the network.

Wireless USB Network Adapter

Note: Windows 95 and NT do not support the USB Adapter.

Figure 3-2

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3. After reading the Warranty Policy, click the Ye s button if you agree, or No
to end the installation.

4. The InstallShield Wizard will automatically choose the folder where Setup
Wizard will install the files. Click the Next button.

Wireless USB Network Adapter

8

Figure 4-3

• The Setup button begins the software installation process, as shown on the
next page.

• The User Guide button shows you a PDF file of the User Guide.

• The LINKSYS WEB button links you to the Linksys website.

• The Exit button allows you to the exit the Setup Wizard.

1. To install your Wireless USB Network Adapter, click on the Setup button.

2. After you see Figure 4-2, click the Next button to continue.

Software and Driver Installation for Windows 98SE, Me,
and 2000

Figure 4-2

Figure 4-4

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7. Enter in the name of your SSID (Service Set Identifier) for your Ad-Hoc or
Infrastructure setting. The SSID must be identical for all points in the net­work. The default setting is linksys (all lowercase). Click the Next button.

8. The Wizard will ask you to review your settings before starting to copy files.
Select Back to review or change any settings, or select Next if you are satis­fied with your settings.

Wireless USB Network Adapter

10

Figure 4-7

5. The InstallShield Wizard will ask you to choose a wireless mode. Choose
the mode that applies to your network. Ad-Hoc Mode is used for simple
peer-to-peer networking or the sharing of local resources between wireless
Networked PCs, and Infrastructure Mode allows a wireless network to be
integrated into an existing, wired network through an access point, permit­ting roaming between access points while maintaining a connection to all
network resources. Then, click the Next button.

6. If you chose Infrastructure Mode, go on to Step 7 now. If you chose Ad-
Hoc Mode, choose the correct operating channel that applies to your network.
The channel you choose should be the same as the other points in your wire­less network. The default channel is set to Channel 6. Click Next.

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Figure 4-5

Figure 4-6

Figure 4-8